Rolf Harris stripped of honorary degree from Liverpool Hope University

Rolf Harris was awarded a doctorate of letters by Liverpool Hope University in 2010

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Disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris has been stripped of the honorary degree he received from a Liverpool university.

Liverpool Hope University today confirmed it had decided to withdrawn the doctorate of letters awarded to the 84-year-old in 2010.

Earlier this week, the university said it was considering its position pending any appeals by Harris.

The unmasked paedophile was jailed for five years and nine months by a judge today.

A spokesman for the university said: "University Council decided at its meeting held on July 3, 2014 to withdraw the university's honorary award given to Rolf Harris in January 2010.

"This has been communicated to Mr Harris's legal representatives."

Harris was convicted of 12 sex charges involving four women, most while they were under age.

He received his university award on Australia Day in January 2010 in recognition of his contribution to art and music education.

He told a graduation ceremony at Hope Chapel that his parents gave him the belief that "you can do whatever you want to do, as long as you know what you want to do and do your homework."

He returned to Liverpool in 2009 when his artwork was featured in an exhibition at the Cornerstone Gallery at Liverpool Hope.

The mayor of Perth in his home state of Western Australia said the council was considering tearing up a plaque laid in his honour - and there is growing pressure for Harris to be stripped of his honours from the Queen.

He was first honoured at the palace in the late 1960s with an MBE, followed by an OBE a decade later, and a CBE in 2006.

Harris has already had his Bafta fellowship, awarded two years ago, removed.

A spokesman for the Academy said: “The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) has made the decision to annul the Bafta fellowship bestowed upon Rolf Harris in 2012 following his conviction."